Summer Savoir-Faire:
Etiquette Matters focuses on construction, cell phones, barbecues and flags
Construction season
There’s always something to maintain, fix or upgrade in our homes. While sometimes it’s just a minor project and the disruption to our neighbours is minimal or non-existent, other times, a larger project will affect your neighbours.
Whether it’s noise, increased traffic, or parking of trucks on the street, being a good neighbour means being considerate of the effects of your project on others. So, be proactive and let your neighbours know early on what to expect. Doing so mitigates potential conflict, manages their expectations and shows you value your relationship with them. Keeping them up to date with how the project is progressing and conveying your apologies for any inconveniences that come up can also help smooth over any frustrations.
If you want to do a little something extra, gifting your neighbour a bottle of wine or token gift to show your appreciation for their patience is always appreciated.
Finally, being transparent and approachable about your project will make your neighbours feel comfortable coming to you, if something does come up. And, if it does, deal with it promptly. Contractors come and go, but relationships with neighbours should be prioritized.
Phone-distracted friends
Having a meaningful conversation shouldn’t be that difficult, but it can be if one person keeps looking down at their phone while you’re speaking. You may feel frustrated and even tempted to respond with a snarky comment like, “Am I boring you?” Resist the urge to be unkind in your response and be honest instead. You may want to consider saying something like, “I really enjoy talking with you, but when you scroll through your phone, I feel ignored/unheard/invisible.” Or, “This is really important to me, and I need you to be there for me 100 per cent.”
We all check our phones out of habit but doing so around others can impede the conversation and send the message that you don’t care about the person or what they have to say. So, be mindful of this habit, and try to be fully present with others.
Barbecue manners
The warmer weather is approaching and with it, barbecue season. If you’re a guest, please arrive on time, and bring the host a little something to show your appreciation. An extra side dish, dessert or beverage is often welcome.
Juicy burgers, saucy ribs, buttery corn, loaded hot dogs all have the potential to be messy, but can be eaten with our hands. This is casual dining, after all. Just make sure there are lots of napkins handy and try not to overload on sauces.
One trick I like to use with corn is to butter, season and eat a section at a time to avoid getting it all over my face. With foods like ribs or chicken, I like to put out an empty dish for guests to discard bones so that their plates don’t get crowded. If there are communal foods like salads and sauces, please use the designated serving utensil to place it on your own dish, not your own cutlery. It’s also preferable to serve yourself seconds rather than overload your plate.
And, while we should avoid licking our fingers and sucking on bones, if you’re in the privacy of your own home, I promise I won’t tell!
Flag etiquette
There’s a renewed sense of pride in our Canadian flag and, as a consequence, many people have been hanging them outside their homes and businesses. It is probably the most recognizable symbol representing Canada, so it’s important we treat it with the utmost respect.
How do you do that, you might ask? Well, you could visit the Government of Canada’s website for a comprehensive list of flag protocols, but most of us will never need that level of detail. Still, there are some basic rules to consider if you choose to fly or hang the National Flag of Canada.
For instance, please make sure the flag isn’t faded or torn. Similarly, there shouldn’t be anything sewn or attached to, written on, or covering it. Furthermore, at no time should the flag ever touch the ground or be stepped on. Finally, as a symbol of our sovereign country, the National Flag of Canada should never be used as a tablecloth, seat cover, or turned into a piece of clothing. It’s a symbol of pride and strength and should be treated as such. Happy (early) Canada Day!